Vitamin C Serum: Should it Be Part of Your Skincare Routine?

There are many important reasons why you should make vitamin C serum part of your daily skincare routine. In particular, research has shown that vitamin C is effective in neutralizing free radicals, stimulating collagen synthesis, and reducing hyperpigmentation. But you want to make sure you are using it correctly. It might seem natural to want to apply it to damp skin in order to maximize hydration and serum effectiveness, but it can actually achieve the opposite effect! This is because the added moisture can weaken the performance of active ingredients and increase sensitivity, especially if you are using L-ascorbic acid. For this reason, for maximal effectiveness and reduction of skin irritation, it is best to apply vitamin C serum to dry skin.

How does vitamin C work?

Vitamin C serum is an antioxidant that is used to slow down the effects of aging, protect against harmful UV rays, smooth out fine lines, and reduce the appearance of dark spots. Here are three ways that it works:

Antioxidant protection—Vitamin C can help the skin recover from oxidative stress caused by the harmful effects of the sun and air pollution. It neutralizes free radicals by boosting electron production, and it also prevents free radicals from swiping electrons from healthy skin cells, providing oxidation in the process.